Dublin city is famous for its characters. A great way to experience and live the city is by learning about it from people who are characters themselves - Dublin Tour Guides. Tours can vary from 1-hour to 4-hour in length and include, as well as the standard sightseeing tour, tours on topics like the paranormal and ghosts, music and song, literature, historical, 1916 Rising, and even Irish mythology. There are various walking tour companies and freelance tour guides available in Dublin. Anyone interested in geeky history should try the '''Ingenious Dublin tours'''[http://ingeniousireland.ie/], that cover history of medicine, Irish inventions (yes, there are lots!), great Irish scientists (lots of those too). They have walking tours and self-guided MP3 tours. For a highly immersive experience, one can also try the '''Stroll Walking Tours''' [http://gostroll.com], which make use of augmented reality and animated projections to breathe life into the city's fascinating heritage. They have intricately-themed tours, such as those of Dublin's haunted places and of the history of Irish music and dancing. </do>

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Dublin city is famous for its characters. A great way to experience and live the city is by learning about it from people who are characters themselves - Dublin Tour Guides. Tours can vary from 1-hour to 4-hour in length and include, as well as the standard sightseeing tour, tours on topics like the paranormal and ghosts, music and song, literature, historical, 1916 Rising, and even Irish mythology. There are various walking tour companies and freelance tour guides available in Dublin. Anyone interested in geeky history should try the '''Ingenious Dublin tours'''[http://ingeniousireland.ie/], that cover history of medicine, Irish inventions (yes, there are lots!), great Irish scientists (lots of those too). They have walking tours and self-guided MP3 tours. For a highly immersive experience, one can also try the '''Stroll Walking Tours''' [http://gostroll.com], which make use of intricately-themed tours to breathe life into the city's fascinating heritage. These include tours of Dublin's haunted places, of the Silicon Docks, and of the history of Irish music and dancing. </do>

*<do name="Dublin Literary Pub Crawl" alt="" address="'The Duke Pub', 9 Duke Street, Dublin 2" directions="Just off Grafton Street" phone="" url="http://www.dublinpubcrawl.com" hours="2" price="€10-12" lat="" long="">This is the most ingenious crash course in Irish literature, history, architecture and pub bonhomie yet devised... It combines street theatre with the 'craic' that makes Dublin pubs the liveliest in Europe. It is a highly enjoyable evening that gives you the pleasant notion of replacing brain cells as you drown them. The tour is a kind of rough guide to the cultural, religious and political life of the city. Performances by professional actors are central to the experience, not forgetting a fun-filled quiz with prizes for the winners. Can be a bit formal at times but this one's been going a long time and is well worth the experience for such an unusual tour. There's just enough time to stop in each pub for a pint as well.</do>

*<do name="Dublin Literary Pub Crawl" alt="" address="'The Duke Pub', 9 Duke Street, Dublin 2" directions="Just off Grafton Street" phone="" url="http://www.dublinpubcrawl.com" hours="2" price="€10-12" lat="" long="">This is the most ingenious crash course in Irish literature, history, architecture and pub bonhomie yet devised... It combines street theatre with the 'craic' that makes Dublin pubs the liveliest in Europe. It is a highly enjoyable evening that gives you the pleasant notion of replacing brain cells as you drown them. The tour is a kind of rough guide to the cultural, religious and political life of the city. Performances by professional actors are central to the experience, not forgetting a fun-filled quiz with prizes for the winners. Can be a bit formal at times but this one's been going a long time and is well worth the experience for such an unusual tour. There's just enough time to stop in each pub for a pint as well.</do>

Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath, "Town of the Hurdled Ford") is the capital city of Ireland. Its vibrancy, nightlife and tourist attractions are renowned and it is the most popular entry point for international visitors to Ireland. It's disproportionately large for the size of Ireland with nearly two million in the Greater Dublin Region - well over a third of the Republic's population! The centre is, however, relatively small and can be navigated by foot, with most of the population living in suburbs.

Understand

History

Samuel Beckett Bridge

Founded in 841, Dublin was originally settled by Vikings amongst a population of Celtic tribes. In the 9th century the Danes captured Dublin and had control until 1171 when they were expelled by King Henry II of England. By the 14th century the king of England controlled Dublin and the nearby area referred to as “the Pale”.

When the English Civil Wars ended in 1649, Oliver Cromwell took over. Dublin experienced huge growth and development in the 17th century because many Protestant refugees from Europe came to Dublin. By the 17th century Dublin was the second greatest city, only behind London, and a period when great Georgian style buildings were constructed that still stand today. Georgian style architecture was popular from 1720 to 1840 during the times when George I, George II, George III, and George IV of England were ruling.

In 1800, the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland abolished the Irish Parliament. From this point on, the Irish worked to gain their independence from Great Britain, which they finally won in 1922. The Easter rising in 1916 and the War of Independence greatly helped Ireland win their freedom. One event remembered as a key moment in Irish history is the Easter rising in 1916.

A failed attempt to take over the several important buildings, among them the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, led to the arrest of hundreds and execution of 15, now considered martyrs for the cause. Many believe that this event helped gain sympathy for the fight for independence from Britain.

Orientation

Customs House on the Liffey

Dublin is divided by the River Liffey. On the north side of the Liffey is O'Connell Street--the main thoroughfare, which is intersected by numerous shopping streets, including Henry Street and Talbot Street. On the south side are St. Stephen's Green, Grafton Street, Trinity College, Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedrals, and many other attractions.

Dublin postcodes range from Dublin 1 to Dublin 24. As a rule, odd numbers are given to areas north of the River Liffey, while even numbers are given to areas south of the river. Usually, the lower the postcode, the closer to the city centre.

If you're already in the city, the main tourist office, located in St. Andrew's Church just off Grafton Street in the city centre (Dublin 2), is a good place to start for information. You can book accommodation and tours there, as well as find general information on where to go and what to do.

Although some of Dublin's finest Georgian architecture was demolished in the mid-20th century, a remarkable amount remains. They were a reminder of the past British imperialism and were pulled without regard to their beauty and architectural significance. They were replaced with modernist or pastiche office blocks, St. Stephen's Green (Dublin 2) being a prime example. Thankfully, attitudes have changed significantly, and Dubliners are now rightly proud of their impressive buildings from all eras.

Climate

Being subject to the moderating effects of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, Dublin is known for its mild climate.

Contrary to some popular perception, the city is not especially rainy. Its annual rainfall average is only 732.7mm (28.8 in), lower than London. However, its precipitation is spread out more evenly so that on many days there can be a light shower.

Winters in Dublin are relatively mild when compared with cities in mainland Europe -daytime temperatures generally hover around the 5°C (41°F), but frost is common during the period November through to February when night time temperatures dip below 0°C (32°F) freezing point.

Snow does occur, but it is not very common, and most of Dublin's winter precipitation comes in the form of a chilly rain and hail. The lowest recorded temperature in the city is -12°C (10°F). It should also be noted that during the first week of January 2010, the city canals froze over for the first time in years--this was a common enough sight back in the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. It could be said that Dublin's climate is very comparable to that of the northwest United States and southwest Canada, as well as to much of coastal Western Europe.

Summers in Dublin are also mild. The average maximum temperature is 20°C (68°F) in July, far cooler than even most of the coldest American cities. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Dublin is a mere 31°C (88°F), which in many other parts of the world, even at its own latitude, is just a typical summer day. Don't plan on too many hot summertime activities. Thunderstorms also don't happen very often in Dublin, on average only four days a year. Overall, the city's climate is mild but would be considered drier and cooler than western and southern parts of the island of Ireland.

Get in

By plane

Aer Lingus

Dublin is served by a two terminal airport approximately 10km (6 mi) north of the city centre. A full list of airlines flying to Dublin, along with timetables.

Ireland's flag carrier airline, Aer Lingus, flies to Dublin from a large number of European cities. Aer Lingus fares are often lower than other flag carriers, but in part this has been achieved by matching the service levels of low-fare competitors. As a result, they now charge for checked-in bags and seat reservation at time of booking. Aer Lingus staff are always very friendly and helpful. The planes and flight attendants are decorated in bright green to get passengers ready to see all of the green in Ireland. Aer Lingus fly almost exclusively from Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport.

Ryanair, Ireland's second airline and Europe's largest low fares airline, has one of its main bases in Dublin from which it flies to a large number of European airports including Paris, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Madrid and Frankfurt as well as smaller regional airports such as Nantes or Kaunas. While famous for its low fares, Ryanair can be more expensive than other airlines for last minute bookings. All Ryanair flights depart from Terminal 1.

Aircoach express service (large blue bus, route 700) connects the airport and the city centre and many of Dublin's major hotels, most of which are on the south side of the city. Buses leave the airport every fifteen minutes and the journey time to the centre is approximately thirty minutes. The fare is €9 single or €15 return. Aircoach also offers services to other destinations within Ireland, including Cork and Belfast.

Dublin Bus offers an express AirLink service (747: [61]) every 15 minutes at peak times to the city centre and bus station for €7 or €12 return (return tickets are valid for 2 months). The 1 and 3 day Rambler ticket has been discontinued with the introduction of Leap card (similar to London's Oyster card), but avoid using the Leap card on the AirLink bus, as it does not count towards the daily price cap and will charge you €7 every time you board. This service uses the Dublin Port Tunnel to avoid the city traffic and can reach the city centre in minutes.

Dublin Bus also have a number of other local routes that serve the airport, and these offer substantially cheaper standard services to the centre and further afield in the southern suburbs: these are non-express and stop significantly more times going to and from the airport. Fares are €3.30 and buses run every 10-25min depending on time of day.

The 16 goes right through the city, stops at O'Connell Street and continues up Georges Street and, finally, to southern areas of Dublin (indicative : 40 minutes O'Connell Street to airport).

The 41 takes a slightly more direct route and finishes on Lower Abbey Street. It stops at O'Connell Street and close to Busáras (Dublin Bus Station).

Depending on traffic, journey times can vary from 25min to over an hour. These buses are considerably cheaper than AirLink and Aircoach. Both of these local bus services stop across from Drumcondra train station which is on the Dublin-Maynooth commuter line. Some trains on this line continue past Maynooth and serve stations as far away as Longford. All Dublin Bus buses (except AirLink) do not give change and fares must be paid in coins. Ticket machines near a few outdoor bus stops, including the one at the airport, do not require exact change. Tickets can also be purchased at the newsagent inside the airport. Luggage racks are limited on the local buses, and it is not unknown for drivers to turn away travellers with packs that cannot be stored.

A taxi to the city centre should cost around €20 to €30: it can be comparable to or cheaper than the bus options if you are in a group of three or more (as well as a lot less hassle). Taxis are legally obliged to provide an electronic receipt detailing the fare, distance and other pertinent details. Make sure to ask for one as otherwise they often do not furnish such a receipt.

A metro connecting Dublin Airport to the city centre is planned, but no work has started on this yet.

Unless your destination is Dublin City, it is probably best to use one of the extensive range of other bus services that stop at Dublin Airport and so avoid the city centre traffic.

By train

Dublin has two main railway stations. Heuston Station, in the west of the city centre, serves much of the west and south of the country including an hourly service to Cork which also services Limerick. Connolly Station, in the north-east centre of the city, serves the south east and east coast, Belfast, Sligo in the north-west and suburban commuter services including the Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. The two main stations are connected by bus and Luas routes. A direct train line also exists between the two stations, but there are no trains connecting Heuston and Connolly stations. Visit the website for all train services local and intercity.

Please note: taxis are available from Connolly station, but there is a group of drivers operating there who will tell you they "don't know where that is" if you are only going a short distance and will only end up paying them a small amount. This practice is against their own union rules. If this happens, either take their name and registration number (prominently displayed at the front of the car) and tell them you will report them to the union, or follow the luas tracks to the right to busaras. Another taxi stand is past the luas stop on the left, in front of the pedestrian entrance to the bus station, and these drivers will take you where you need to go.

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) [62], the national railway company, has one of the youngest train fleets in Europe and the Cork train in particular is extremely comfortable. Older trains were phased out completely in 2008 with the arrival of a massive fleet of brand new trains built in Spain, Japan and South Korea.
There are internet intercity train fares for offpeak services which are substantially cheaper than over the counter tickets. Food on trains is generally overpriced and carrying your own food on board is normally permitted.

By bus

A single bus station, Busáras, is the terminus for Bus Eireann services to almost all towns and cities in Ireland (except for a few services to County Meath and County Dublin, which leave from the surrounding streets). It's next to Connolly train station, 10min by foot from O'Connell Street. There are also services to Northern Ireland and Eurolines services to Continental Europe. Luggage lockers are in the basement, along with the pay-to-enter public toilets.

A number of private bus companies also operate out of the airport and stop in city centre. Kavanaghs has a good service to Limerick and Waterford. Dublin Coach offers an express service to Limerick from Westmoreland Street. Citylink coaches has a good price to Galway and the West, while GoBus now provides a non-stop Dublin-Galway and Dublin-Cork service.

By boat

Dublin Port has several passenger ferry services to/from Wales and England. The main routes are Liverpool-Dublin and Holyhead-Dublin. Companies from Wales include Stena and Irish Ferries, and from Liverpool, P&O and Norfolk Line. The once key suburban port of Dún Laoghaire, 10 km (6 mi) south of Dublin, is no longer served by any passenger sailings. Crossings from Liverpool are seven hours, while crossings from Holyhead are from 2.5 hours, depending on whether you take a fast ferry or a larger ferry.

If you are travelling to Dublin from anywhere in Britain, a very cheap option is to purchase a combined SailRail rail and ferry ticket. The cheapest ticket to Dublin Port will cost between £31 and £38 one way depending on departure point (as of November 2013), which is particularly good value considering that the ferry ticket alone can cost up to £30 if purchased separately. See Arriva Trains for more details. Foot passengers departing Ireland do not need to book combined ferry/rail tickets in advance and can just buy them on the day at the ferry port. However, returning from Britain it is sometimes wiser to pre-book as ferry/rail tickets may not be available on the day at some stations.

The combined tickets can be purchased direct from rail stations in Britain or online from e.g. Arriva Trains, but note not all online rail ticket providers sell SailRail tickets.

The only bus from the port to the centre costs €3 and stops at Connolly and Houston stations. Be aware that there is no ATM in the port, and no facility to purchase a Leap card (for bus transport) via card, so change some sterling to Euro on the boat over or you will be stranded in the port 4km from the nearest ATM and forced to walk or take a taxi.

By car

If you are visiting Dublin only for a daytrip and have a car, you can beat the traffic by leaving your car at a Park and Ride station. If you are coming from the south, two ideal places to leave your car are at the Sandyford Luas stop, located just off junction 15 of the M50 on Blackthorn Road, or Bray DART stop, on Bray Road. If you are coming from the west, your best option is the Red Cow Luas stop, off junction 10 of the M50. Coming from the north east, you would do best to use the Park and Ride station at Howth DART station. Tariffs at Park and Ride stations range from €2 to €4.

If you decide to drive into the city center, there are a range of car parks available. Dublin City Centre has sign posts around the city with directions and space availability for all major car parks. The city also offers pay and display parking on streets with a maximum stay of three hours. Car parks are clearly signposted in the city centre with live available spaces information.

Get around

Ha'penny Bridge over the River Liffey

Public transportation has improved massively over the last few years, but it is still worse than in other European cities. This is more of a problem for the commuter than the visitor to Dublin, however, as the city centre is easy to get around on foot.

By train/tram

The Luas[63] (a tram/light-rail system) runs frequently and reliably, and is handy for getting around the city centre. There are two lines - red (running from Connolly railway station and the Point Theatre to the suburb of Tallaght or Saggart) and green (running from Broombridge to Bride's Glen in Cherrywood). The two lines connect at O'Connell Street. Tickets can be bought on the platforms at the machines and do not need to be validated. You must purchase a ticket or "touch on" with your Leap Card before boarding the tram. The fare structure is based on zones, with rides within the central zone costing €1.50. A large amount of further expansion of this network is expected within the next decade.

The DART[64] suburban rail service runs along the coast between Greystones in the south and Howth and Malahide in the north. Tickets can be bought in the stations, from a window or a machine. There are four other suburban rail lines servicing areas around Dublin: [65], three of these lines operate from Connolly Station, the other from Heuston Station.

By bus

An extensive bus service operated by the state-controlled Dublin Bus serves the city and its suburbs, right out to the very outer suburbs. There are around 200 bus routes in Dublin. The route numbering system, however, can be quite confusing, with numbers having been issued non-sequentially and with suffix letters denoting alternate destinations. The bus will display its final destination on the front of the bus. English-speaking visitors will find most bus drivers helpful, but obtaining an up-to-date route map from Dublin Bus is recommended. Here are some pointers about using the Dublin Bus services:

Dublin Bus accepts coin fares only (no notes) for the vast majority of its routes (the exceptions being the Airlink 747 and Dublin Port ferry connection). Many newsagents and the Dublin Bus Office (59 O'Connell Street, to the right of General Post Office) sell 10-trip and one-day, three-day and five-day bus passes that offer a good value and much convenience (so there will be no need to make sure you have the right amount of change).

Many bus routes have been altered slightly since 2013. Check online for up to date information.

Bus fares can be paid directly to the driver, just tell him your destination. If you do not have exact change, you will get an extra change receipt along with your ticket, which you can exchange back at the main bus office at 59 Upper O'Connell Street.

Most city buses leave from or run through the O'Connell Street area (including Mountjoy and Parnell Squares, Eden Quay and Fleet Street) and the Trinity College area (including Pearse Street, Nassau Street, Dame Street and College Green).

Daytime buses run from around 05:00 to 23:30, on weekends there are also 18 late-night routes (known as the Nitelink service), suffixed by an N, that run from midnight until around 04:00. The Nitelink fare is €6.50 (€5 with Leap Card).

The Xpresso is a special service designed to allow for faster and more efficient bus travel for daily commuters during both morning and evening rush hour traffic. Xpresso routes are more direct than many other bus routes, offering passengers a quicker service. These routes also have fewer stops and therefore reduce journey times between destinations. There are 13 of these routes in operation. The numbers on the front of a bus are suffixed with an 'X'. A minimum flat fare (varies based on distance travelled) is charged on these services so they are usually more expensive than a non-Xpresso, bus that may be travelling along the same route.

There is a ferry port link operated by Dublin Bus from Dublin Port to Busaras (Central Bus Station). The fare from Dublin Port to Busaras is about €3.50.

It should be noted that, while there is effectively no queuing system at bus stops, those paying with cash generally enter to the left of the doors, and those using card tickets enter to the right. Your position in a perceived queue for a bus may be effectively irrelevant once it arrives. If you have a prepaid ticket, avoid queuing: just get onto the bus on the right hand side of the front door.

If you see An Lár written as the destination on a bus, it means that it is going to the city centre.

Times displayed on timetables either at stops or elsewhere do not indicate the time the bus is expected to pass that stop; they are the times the bus departs from its terminus either in the city centre or at the other end. This is mainly due to the fact that Dublin's roads are exceptionally overcrowded, making it very difficult to predict the actual time. Real time information on bus arrivals is available on the Dublin Bus website [66] and as an App, many bus stops also have electronic count down screens illustrating when the next buses will arrive, although this information is not always fully accurate.

Google Maps also can give public transport options and connections although Apple Maps is generally more detailed and user friendly. The transport for Ireland app can also provide useful information.

There are also a handful of private bus operators serving specific destinations.

Leap Card

The Leap Card is a rechargeable E-purse card (similar to London's Oyster card) that can be used across Dublin Bus services, Luas and DART/Commuter rail lines within the city metropolitan area. Leap cards can be purchased in some outlets in both terminals of Dublin Airport, and at retail outlets within the city area displaying "Leap Card" adverts. The card costs €10 to purchase and comes with €5 credit and a €5 reserve credit. The card can be topped up at retail outlets, Luas ticket machines and at DART/commuter rail station ticket machines. The card can also be managed online with balance retrieval and top up at the Leap Card website [67]. The card should be tagged on and tagged off at Luas stop validator poles, and when entering rail stations through the turnstiles. On buses, either present the card to the reader on the drivers machine and state your destination (the driver will deduct the correct fare from the card) or present the card to the reader on the right hand side of the door (the flat maximum fare of €2.60 will be deducted). You do not need to tag off when leaving the bus. The Leap Card fares are integrated across different modes of public transport so a daily/weekly/monthly cap or rebate is applied for multiple uses of the card. Leap cards cannot be used on Irish Rail's Intercity routes (Dublin-Cork, Dublin-Limerick etc.) but can be used on some private intercity bus routes and on Bus Eireann services in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Wexford. Fares are on average 10-18% cheaper paying with a Leap card than paying with cash.
A 1 day leap card can be purchased for €10 at airport arrivals allowing unlimited travel on all buses, trams and trains and airport buses for 24 hours

By bicycle/motorbike

Dublinbikes, Temple Bar

Hiring a bicycle is a handy way to get around if you want to get outside the very centre of the city and are comfortable cycling in traffic. That being said, the city is not very bicycle-friendly, either in terms of quantity & quality of bike paths, pedestrians and drivers honouring the bike paths, road space available where there is no bike path (i.e. numerous narrow roads), or driver attitudes in general.

There are bikes to hire in several locations around the city centre with the Dublinbikes scheme, there is also a bike hire place located at the entrance to the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. When cycling in the Phoenix Park, note that while there is a dedicated cycle lane on both sides of the main thoroughfare unfortunately pedestrians also use these. When cycling in the city centre, be aware that cycle lanes, where they exist, are generally shared with buses, taxis, motorcycles, and parked automobiles; cyclists should pay particular attention when approaching bus stops where a bus is pulling out.

Motorbikes are not allowed to use the cycle lanes, but many still do so. Passing on the left is also allowed only in limited circumstances but is in fact still common.

By car

Driving in Dublin is not to be recommended for much of the day, particularly in the city centre. Traffic can be heavy and there is an extensive one-way system, which some say is explicitly designed to make it very difficult for cars to enter the city centre. The quays along the river are especially bad. There are a large number of bus lanes (only buses, taxis and pedal cycles are permitted - others are promptly fined. It is often legal to drive in bus lanes at certain off-peak times; these times and days are clearly signed. If you absolutely must travel into the city by car (perhaps to load or you have a disability), it is advisable to do research on your required route (using GPS or even Google Maps) and to seek suitable parking in advance.

It can be difficult to find parking other than in multi-storey car parks. On-street parking for short periods is allowed at parking meters, but beware of over-staying your time or you will be "clamped" by the clamping companies who patrol frequently - clamp release fees vary from €70-150 per 24 hours.

A system of two ring roads around the city has been introduced in recent years, with colour coded signage in purple and blue (see the orbital route map [68]. The M50 is Dublin's motorway, it connects to the M1 (to the north of Ireland and Belfast) near Dublin airport and to the M11 (servicing Wicklow, Wexford and the South) south of the city and to other motorways and national roads along its "C-shaped" route. It has recently been upgraded so is less congested, and is well signposted.

However, crossing the river using the M50 entails crossing the Westlink bridge (between M50 junctions 3 and 4). This is a toll bridge with the amount of the toll varying depending on the type of vehicle and how it is paid. It is important to note that the toll is barrier free and cannot be paid at booths while crossing the bridge but must be paid by internet or phone (or using electronic passes in the vehicle), or in certain shops. The vehicle passes through the toll gate without being stopped but the registration plate is photographed automatically. The toll must be paid by 20:00 the following day [69]

After this deadline, the longer the toll remains unpaid the higher the fees involved. For foreign registered vehicles, this currently presents no problem as the Irish vehicle registration base does not have access to foreign ownership details, but for Irish registered vehicles, including rental cars, any fees due, including penalties for late payment, may well be reclaimed through the rental company and subsequently from the credit card of the person hiring the car.

Outside of the city centre, parking is generally not an issue, and ample free parking can be found outside of the M50 (and in certain areas within the M50 ring road).

By taxi

Taxis were de-regulated in 2001 leading to a massive oversupply with Dublin now having more taxis than New York City. This is bad news for taxi drivers but good news for tourists, as taxis are now extremely easy to come by. They may be ordered by telephone, at ranks, or just hailed on the street. Point-to-point trips in the city centre should cost between €6 and €10: many taxi drivers will also offer a set fare if asked. There is a national standardised rate for all taxis and taxi drivers must use the meter unless you agree a set fare beforehand. You are entitled to ask for a written receipt at the end of your journey but most taxi drivers will not offer one unless asked. No tip is expected but it is common to round up to the nearest Euro. If the driver has been particularly helpful you may of course tip at your discretion.

Taxis can be recognised by a yellow roof plate which will be illuminated when available for hire. Inside the taxi the driver should have an ID card and licence clearly on display. Most taxis will only take cash payment. If you intend to pay by credit card make sure to confirm this before starting your journey. The 'Uber' and 'myTaxi' smartphone apps for taxis can be used in Dublin and the latter seems to have the best coverage. Unlike some cities, all Uber drivers in Dublin must be fully licensed taxi drivers.

Taxis are generally safe, reputable, and honest in Dublin. Taxi drivers may attempt to engage you in conversation but this is usually just being friendly. Wheelchair accessible taxis are increasingly available but you might want to book one in advance rather than relying on chance.

See

O'Connell Street; Spire and General Post Office

One of Dublin's bridges

In the summer peak season, Dublin's top attractions can get packed. Show up early to beat the crowds.

Christ Church Cathedral, Christ Church Pl, Dublin 2, ☎+353 1 677-8099 ([email protected]), [2]. Jun-Aug 21:00-18:00, Sep-May 09:45-17:00 or 18:00. Dating back to the 11th century, is the oldest building in Dublin, though it underwent a massive restoration in the 19th century. Particularly interesting is the crypt, which pre-dates the cathedral. €6, students €4, children with parent: free.

St Patrick's Cathedral. Founded in 1191, it is the largest church in Ireland. Price: students €4.50

Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Sq, Dublin 1, ☎353 1 872-2077, [4]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, open until 6PM Jun-Aug. Su and holidays 11AM-5PM. Located in an 18th century house, the museum is dedicated to Irish literature and the lives of individual Irish writers such as Shaw, Joyce, Yeats & Pearse.€7.25, children €4.55, family tickets €21.

Dublin Zoo, Welington/Zoo Rd, Dublin 8, ☎353 1 4748900, [5]. M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM in winter and 6:00PM in summer. Located in Phoenix Park and dating to 1830, the Dublin Zoo is the largest in Ireland, and notable for its role in wildlife conservation efforts.€15, students €12.50, Senior Citizens €12, children €10.50, family from €43.50 for 4 to €52 for 6.

Dublinia & the Viking World, St. Michael's Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 2, ☎+353 1 679 4611 ([email protected]), [6]. Mar-Sep 10AM-5PM, Oct-Feb 10AM-4:15PM. A heritage centre located in central Dublin, at the heart of the medieval city. The exhibitions at Dublinia explore life as it was in the medieval city and the world of the Vikings. Discounted admission to the Christ Church Cathedral available.€6.25, children €3.75, student €5.25..

General Post Office (GPO), O'Connell St Lower, Dublin 1 (All transport to Dublin City Centre), ☎017057000, [7]. The General Post Office (GPO) is one of Ireland's most iconic buildings. For almost 200 years it has been the headquarters of the Post Office in Ireland. It was designed by Francis Johnston in Neo Classical style and took four years to build from 1814-1818. In 1916 it was taken over by Irish Rebels led by P.H. Pearse. During the Easter Rising, The interior was completely destroyed. Amazingly, the beautiful exterior managed to survive the shelling from General Maxwell's forces and fires caused. In 1925 it was decided by the Irish Government that the building be restored and it reopen in 1929. The GPO is still a working post office and is home to the An Post Museum, which houses an original copy of The Proclamation.Free entrance.

An Post Museum, GPO, O'Connell Street Lower, ☎017057000, [8]. Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 4pm. Offers a unique and engaging insight into the history of one of the Irish Post Office, with displays on stamps, mail boats and the role of GPO staff on Easter Monday 1916. The audio visuals and interactive displays allow visitors to choose subjects of particular interest as they explore aspects of the Irish Post Office story.€2.

Glasnevin Cemetery, Finglas Rd, Dublin 11 (Buses 9, 13 or 40 from O'Connell St or 40a/40d from Parnell St), ☎+353 1 8301133, [9]. Tours (Daily Mar-Sep) (W and F Oct-Feb) at 2:30PM. Situated just two miles from the city centre, Glasnevin Cemetery is currently running a series of walking tours. These tours give a valuable insight into the final resting place of the men and women who have helped shape Ireland's past and present. The walking tour last one and a half hours and visits the graves of Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Eamonn De Valera and many other graves of architectural and cultural interest.€5, U12 go free.

Green on Red Gallery, 26-28 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 (Exiting Pearse rail station and turn right. Cross Pearse Street and it will be on the left opposite Lombard bar.), ☎+353 1 671 3414 ([email protected]), [10]. Tu-F 10:00 - 18:00, Sa 13:00 - 16:00, Su Closed, M by appointment. The Green On Red Gallery is one of Ireland’s most dynamic and exciting galleries. Representing some of the best contemporary work on the market, both Irish and international. The programme is based on 10-11 solo exhibitions and 1-2 group or thematic exhibitions per year. Green On Red participates annually in international art fairs and the gallery’s artists regularly exhibit abroad in both private and public venues.Free entrance.

Project Arts Centre, 39 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (Look for the large blue building on East Essex Street, in the heart of Temple Bar), ☎+353 1 881 9613 ([email protected]), [12]. Gallery and Box Office M-Sa 11:00-20:00 (excluding bank holidays). Located at the heart of artistic life in Dublin, Project Arts Centre has an extensive programme covering everything from visual arts to dance, music and theatre. There is plenty to fuel the imagination from an exciting year-round programme. It is home to two performance spaces and a gallery, Project Arts Centre also has a public foyer with free Wi-Fi, coffee, and a chair to rest your weary legs and plan your cultural adventures in the city.Entrance to exhibitions is free, tickets to performances vary.

Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship Museum, The ship is at Custom House Quay (across from Jury's Inn), ☎+353 01 473 0111 ([email protected]), [13]. Tours daily 11AM, noon, 2PM, 3PM and 4PM. This ship is a smaller replica of the original Jeanie Johnston, which sailed between Tralee in Co. Kerry and North America between 1847 and 1855, transporting Irish emigrants during the Great Famine. The tour takes visitors below deck to learn about some of the people who sailed on the original Jeanie Johnston in the Famine years.€8.50, seniors/students €7.50, children €4.50, family €20.

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, ☎+353 1 4535984, [14]. Apr-Sep 9:30AM-6PM daily (last admission 5PM); Oct-Mar M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM (last admission 4PM), Su 10AM-6PM (last admission 5PM). The prison where the rebels from the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. It is located slightly outside the city centre and can be reached by local bus (40, 79). Access is limited to guided tours, which leave every 30 minutes and are very interesting. It is well worth a visit if you are in any way interested in history.€6, senior and groups €4, children and students €2, family €14.

Merrion Square Merrion Square is one of the largest squares in Dublin. It is filled with very green (of course) grassy areas and has three Georgian style houses. There is a large statue of the writer and dramatist Oscar Wilde. There are also two square marble columns that are covered in famous Wilde quotes. Merrion Square is a good place to escape some of the noise of Dublin and enjoy Oscar Wilde’s witty sense of humor.

The National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West & Clare St, Dublin 2 (DART Pearse Station will get you to within five minutes from the Gallery.), ☎+353 1 6615133 ([email protected], fax: +353 1 6615372), [16]. M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM (till 8:30PM on Th) and Su noon-5:30PM. Closed Good Friday and 24-26 Dec. National collection of Irish and European Art. Free entrance.

National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare St, Dublin 2 (Buses 37/38/39 and variants, 46a, 140, 145 stop on Kildare St, or 5-10 minute walk from College Green/Grafton Street), ☎+353 1 6777444 ([email protected], fax: +353 1 6777450), [17]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Su 2PM-5PM, closed M, 25 Dec and Good Friday. Not to be missed for anyone interested in Irish history as this museum is the national repository for all all archaeological objects found in Ireland. The Prehistoric Ireland and Treasury exhibits are particularly exceptional.Free entrance.

Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells, College Green, Dublin 2 (Most bus routes, including tour buses, stop in the area of College Green/Trinity College), ☎+353 1 896 2320 ([email protected], fax: +353 1 896 2690), [20]. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su (May-Sep) 9:30AM (noon Oct-Apr)-5:30PM. Closed 23 Dec-1 Jan. The gorgeously illustrated original manuscript of the Book of Kells is the main draw here, but the massive Long Hall of the Old library itself is equally if not even more impressive.€9, +€2 for optional guided tour. Students & seniors €8, children under 12 free. Family admission €18..

Phoenix Park, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 (10-15 minute walk to park entrance from Heuston station stop on Luas Red line, alternatively buses 25/26/66/67 stop on Parkgate Street, a 5 minute walk from the entrance), ☎+353 1 677 0095 ([email protected], fax: +353 1 672 6454). The largest enclosed urban park in Europe. Includes a polo field and Dublin Zoo. The residences of the President of Ireland and the U.S. Ambassador are situated in the park, but are not open to the public. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the herd of wild fallow deer that inhabit the park!Free.

Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Quay Dublin 2 (10 minutes on foot from O’Connell St. Bus numbers 1, 50, 77A, 151 stop close to the main entrance. By DART at Grand Canal station and by Luas at Spencer Dock across the Liffey), ☎+353 1 677-7510, [21]. 10AM-6PM. Housed in an award winning architectural structure affectionately known as the box in docks situated in the waters of Grand Canal Dock. Informative displays on the waterways from the pre Christian period to its modern use, with child friendly interactives and environmental displays.€4, children €2, students/seniors €3.

Little Museum of Dublin, 15 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, ☎+353 1 661-1000, [22]. F-W 11:00-18:00, Th 1100-20:00. A non-profit museum documenting the social, cultural and political history of Dublin city, the collection, housed in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on St. Stephen's Green, tells the story of the capital in the 20th century, with over 400 artifacts donated by Dubliners past and present! Free Guided Tours daily at 11, 1, 3 & 5 pm.€5 (€3 concession), family tickets €12.

Irish Georgian Society, City Assembly House, 58 South William Street, Dublin 2, ☎353 1 679 8675, [23]. M-Sa 10-6, Su varied. The Irish Georgian Society was founded in 1958 to conserve, protect and foster an interest and a respect for Ireland’s architectural heritage and decorative arts. Located in the recently restored 18th century City Assembly House, the IGS hosts several exhibition rooms and a well-stocked speciality bookshop.Free.

The local tourism board Visit Dublin has released a city sightseeing card, Dublin Pass which grants holders free entry and fast track entry to 33 attractions, museums and monuments in Dublin. It also includes airport transfer.

Suburbia

Dublin has many fine suburbs. Some are easily navigated by foot from the city's centre and are dotted with many upmarket delicatessens and boutiques. Examples include Donnybrook and Ballsbridge - the 46a bus goes through Donnybrook and the 4/7 buses through Ballsbridge, with several stops in the north and south city centre. Ballsbridge is Dublin's embassy district and is home to some of Ireland's most expensive roads including 'Shrewsbury Road', which is famous for being the sixth most expensive residential thoroughfare in the world and 'Ailesbury Road' which is equally as salubrious and home to the bulk of the capital's embassies including Spain and Poland.

Ballsbridge is also home to The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which promotes and develops agriculture, arts, industry and science in Ireland. It hosts many concerts and also showcases the annual Show Jumping Competition, a major entertainment event. You can approach Ballsbridge via 'Herbert Park', a pleasant public green park and fashionable road, opposite Donnybrook Village and vice-versa..

Dalkey and Killiney which lie on the southern most tip of Dublin are upmarket neighbourhoods and home to such celebrities as Bono, Maeve Binchy and Enya among others. A walk up Vico Road to take in the view is a must-do. Killiney Hill is beautiful, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Dublin Mountains. These areas are best approached by the DART, which runs along the coast and has three main stops in the city centre.

Blackrock or Dun Laoghaire, accessible by bus or DART, are also worth a visit.

Ranelagh and Dartry are also worth visiting- Ranelagh is small but affluent, accessible by the Luas Green line and has several critically acclaimed eateries.

Sandymount, a coastal suburb no more than 2 mi (3 km) south-east of the City Centre, is another quite affluent area with a tiny park and some restaurants. It is the birthplace of W.B. Yeats. The suburb and its strand appear prominently in James Joyce's Ulysses. There is a wonderful walk from Sandymount across the north end of its beach to the South Bull Wall which reaches a finger well out into the Bay.

Be sure to go north of The Liffey also. Clontarf, Malahide, Skerries and Howth (all accesible by DART/commuter rail are all great places to spend an afternoon. Malahide has a beautiful Castle (including extra doors for the ghost)in a Park and is a nice little village with harbour, beach, estuary and lots of restaurants. You can also take a 20-30 minute walk along the coast up to Portmarnock beach (a 5 km long beach).

Howth is home to a handful of Irish celebrities including Gay Byrne and Dolores O'Riordan. Walking the cliff walk or climbing the Ben of Howth, a 561 ft (171 m) high hill on Howth Head, on a fine day is well worth your time. Although the water may be too cold to enjoy a swim, Howth has a small stretch of beach that has a beautiful view of mountains in the distance.

Dublin's best beach is also to the north. Dollymount Strand and the adjoining bird sanctuary are highly recommended. It's a great bike ride - there's an excellent bike path from the city along by the sea, and may also be accessed walking from Clontarf Road DART station or bus route 130 from the city centre.

Do

The Lazy Bike Tour Company, 4 Scarlet Row Essex Street West Temple Bar Dublin 8, ☎+353 1 4433671, [24]. 9:30-17:30. The Lazy Bike Tour Company offers electric bike tours of Dublin on cool, retro, funky, orange electric bikes. Their tours take you to some of the major sights as well as a little bit off the beaten track to show you a very real side of the city€25.00.

Abbey Theatre, 26/27 Lower Abbey Street, ☎+353 1 878 7222, [25]. Ireland's national theatre. This is a particularly good venue for presentations of Irish plays. The Abbey also shows classic and contemporary theatre from around the world.

Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate, Dublin 8 (Buses 40/123, closest Luas Red line stop at James's), ☎+353 1 408 4800, [27]. Daily 9:30AM-5PM (open until 7PM in July & August). Closed Good Friday and Dec 24-26. Retells the story of Dublin's most famous drink. The exhibition is interesting and is self-guided. The exhibition works its way upwards from the ground floor and culminates at the seventh floor Gravity Bar, which has great views over Dublin and forms the head of the giant pint of Guinness formed by the atrium. Price of entry includes a pint which can be redeemed at the gravity bar or at the education center where you learn the proper way to pour a glass of Guinness. Outside, tourists will encounter horse drawn carriages for hire. Beware as they charge €20 for the short walkable 2km (1 mi) ride back to the city centre. Adults €16,50 (10% discount for booking online), students and seniors €13, children 6-12 €5.

Catch a hurling or Gaelic football game [70] at the Croke Park Stadium‎, Jones Road, Dublin 3, the 82,500 seat, state-of-the-art stadium, Croke Park. These sports are uniquely Irish. Hurling is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest field sport, with the ball (called a sliotar) reaching speeds above 130 kph. Gaelic football can best be described as a combination of soccer and rugby.You may have difficulty getting tickets for the bigger matches. Tours of the GAA museum and the stadium are also available, including a chance to try your hand at the sports themselves [71].

League of Ireland Football Watch a soccer match during the FAI League of Ireland [72] season from March to November. Current league Champions Saint Patrick's Athletic play in Richmond Park which is located in the suburb of Inchicore, a short distance from the city centre to the south west. Frequent bus routes 13 and 40 will drop you outside the stadium in about 10 minutes from O'Connell Street or College Green. [73]. Shamrock Rovers F.C. [74] play in Tallaght Stadium which is located south west of the city centre located in Tallaght, on Whitestown Way, the stadium is easily accessible by public transport. The stadium is just a few minutes walk from the Red Luas line terminal at The Square Shopping Centre and numerous bus stops. Home matches take place on Friday nights at 7:45PM. Tickets cost: €15 (Adult), €7 (U-16′s/OAPs). Shelbourne F.C. [75] play in Tolka Park in Drumcondra, Dublin 3. The stadium is a short distance North of the city centre and can be reached by public transport. Dozens of buses from the city centre stop a few hundred meters from Tolka Park and the Drumcondra Train Station is also located nearby. Tickets cost: €15 (Adult), €10 (Student/Children over 14), €7 (Children under 14/OAPs).

Catch a Leinster Rugby[76] game at the RDS Arena, located on Anglesea Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Occasional home games are played at Aviva Stadium, the replacement for Lansdowne Road that opened in May 2010. Leinster's rugby union team as well as the other 3 provincial Irish sides play regularly during the winter and spring in international and domestic competitions. Provincial team players are paid full-time players as opposed to players of Gaelic games, who's amateur ethos are a stated core value. Leinster, one of Europe's strongest sides, won the European Cup in 2009, 2011 and 2012, and supplied many players for the Ireland national team. Domestically, they play in the Pro12, which includes teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy.

Leopardstown Racecourse, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 (From Dublin city centre, follow the N11 south, turn right into the R113 (Leopardstown Road), the racecourse will be on your left), ☎+353 1 289 0500 ([email protected], fax: +353 1 289 2634), [28]. Located in the southern suburb of Leopardstown/Foxrock, there are regular meetings throughout the year. There is a "Pay as you Play" golf course within the racecourse grounds, as well as bars, restaurants and a nightclub (Club 92).€12.55, with reductions for students and OAPs.

Old Jameson Distillery, Bow Street Distillery, Smithfield, Dublin 7, ☎+353 1 8072355, [29]. Daily 9:30AM-6PM. Last tour at 5:30. Closed Good Friday and Christmas holidays. This ex-distillery hasn't produced whiskey in a while, and if you are expecting to see whiskey making, you will not find it here. However, there is a tour and recreation of the process, and whiskey tasting afterwards. The tour begins with a short, low-budget video dramatizing the distillery's history and the Jameson brand. After the video, eight members of each tour group will be selected to participate in a sampling of Irish, American, and Scotch whiskies after the tour (everyone else gets one portion of Jameson). The tour starts after the video with the guide walking everyone through various exhibits which detail the process of whiskey-making. If you don't know anything about whiskey, it is a very informative and interesting experience, even if you aren't a a whiskey drinker. Serious whiskey connoissuers probably won't find the experience particularly rewarding. Adult €12.50, students and seniors €10, families €25.

Walking Tours. Dublin city is famous for its characters. A great way to experience and live the city is by learning about it from people who are characters themselves - Dublin Tour Guides. Tours can vary from 1-hour to 4-hour in length and include, as well as the standard sightseeing tour, tours on topics like the paranormal and ghosts, music and song, literature, historical, 1916 Rising, and even Irish mythology. There are various walking tour companies and freelance tour guides available in Dublin. Anyone interested in geeky history should try the Ingenious Dublin tours[30], that cover history of medicine, Irish inventions (yes, there are lots!), great Irish scientists (lots of those too). They have walking tours and self-guided MP3 tours. For a highly immersive experience, one can also try the Stroll Walking Tours[31], which make use of intricately-themed tours to breathe life into the city's fascinating heritage. These include tours of Dublin's haunted places, of the Silicon Docks, and of the history of Irish music and dancing.

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, 'The Duke Pub', 9 Duke Street, Dublin 2 (Just off Grafton Street), [32]. 2. This is the most ingenious crash course in Irish literature, history, architecture and pub bonhomie yet devised... It combines street theatre with the 'craic' that makes Dublin pubs the liveliest in Europe. It is a highly enjoyable evening that gives you the pleasant notion of replacing brain cells as you drown them. The tour is a kind of rough guide to the cultural, religious and political life of the city. Performances by professional actors are central to the experience, not forgetting a fun-filled quiz with prizes for the winners. Can be a bit formal at times but this one's been going a long time and is well worth the experience for such an unusual tour. There's just enough time to stop in each pub for a pint as well.€10-12.

Conradh na Gaeilge, 6, Harcourt St.. An Irish language centre on Harcourt St, where you can hear Irish being spoken as a first language and also enjoy a beverage with friends.

The Little Museum of Dublin, 15 St. Stephen's Green, [33]. 9:30-5pm. The Little Museum of Dublin tells the story of Ireland’s capital city in the 20th Century.The social, cultural and political history of Dublin is chronicled in the Little Museum. There are simple artefacts that encourage contemplation of the past, alongside items related to famous visitors such as President John F Kennedy, Marlene Dietrich and Muhammad Ali. (Free Entrance on Wednesdays after 12pm)Adults:€6 Seniors:€5 Students (under 18):€4.

Buy

Grafton Street

Grafton Street

Dublin's most famous shopping street is the pedestrianised Grafton Street, which runs between St. Stephen's Green and Trinity College. It has recently, along with its surroundings, been classified as an 'Architectural Conservation Zone'. This will involve a re-establishment of the area's rich historic charm and urban character. The best concentration of shoe shops is found on Grafton Street and the adjoining Wicklow Street.

Brown Thomas [77], Dublin's most famous and expensive department store is on Grafton Street along with a wide range of clothing, jewelry, and photography shops, etc.

The Powerscourt Centre[78], just off Grafton Street, is one of Dublin's most attractive shopping centres, set in a beautifully restored 18th century townhouse. Here, you will find clothes, cafes, galleries and Irish designer jewelers. You must check out the The Loft Market - it is a haven for Dublin Fashion. There is lots of up and coming young fashion designers and vintage clothing sellers such as Perk Up! Vintage [79], Lisa Shawgi Knitwear and MO MUSE to shop around. Beware the overpriced antique dealers, some of whom will drop a price by 50% after only the merest suggestion that you are willing to haggle (and it still may not be a bargain). For gifts, there is an engraving business based in the centre next to Bonsai Shop.

Leaving Powerscourt via the ornate steps on to South William Street, you will find yourself facing a small street called Castle Market, which leads to a covered red-brick shopping arcade known alternatively as the Market Arcade or the Georges Street Arcade. This area is worth a visit for vintage clothing, fabrics, unusual accessories, vinyl and club wear. It also features some small cafes.

Nassau Street

Alongside the historic Trinity College you will find Nassau Street where there are many shops selling tourist-related items such as Waterford Crystal, Belleek Pottery, Aran sweaters, and other Irish craft items. Shops selling these items include House of Ireland [80] and Kilkenny Design [81].

St Anns Church on Dawson St, early morning

Dawson Street

Dawson Street, parallel to Grafton Street, is home to the official residence of the lord mayor - the 'mansion house' as well as several upmarket clothes shops, restaurants and well stocked large bookshops including Hodges Figgis.

O'Connell Street and Henry Street

There is also an extensive shopping area on the north side of the river, in Dublin 1, centred on O'Connell Street and Henry Street (Ireland's busiest shopping street). Clery's [82] (O'Connell Street)(18 O'Connell Street) and Arnotts [83] (12 Henry Street) are large department stores each with a long history. Two large shopping centres, the Jervis Shopping Centre[84] (Jervis Street), and the Ilac Centre (Henry Street) are nearby. The latter also houses Dublin's Central Public Library [85].

Just off Henry Street is Moore Street, which has a fruit, vegetable and fish market. It's worth a stroll if you want to get a slice of life from the less genteel side of Dublin. For a more traditional Dublin shopping experience go to the Liberties area around Thomas street and check out the stalls on Meath street and the liberty market (off Meath Street) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
At the top of Henry Street on Parnell Street is Chapters, which has a massive selection of books at generally cheaper prices than other high street stores, as well as a large secondhand section. It is especially great for 'coffee table' style art books.

Merchants Arch Temple Bar

Temple bar

Be sure to visit Temple Bar's Temple Bar Square and Meetinghouse Square on a Saturday morning or afternoon for the markets (Dublin 2), which sells all types of foods, from traditional fare to delicious baked goods. Both squares are also home to several very good restaurants. Meetinghouse Square, which lies only about 150 ft (50 m) west of Temple Bar Square, sells much finer fare and more exotic foods than Meetinghouse Square.

The Temple Bar area offers some alternative to shopping at the larger chain-stores. Small clothing boutiques, including the city centre's only swap shop, are popping up all around the area (Temple Lane, Crow Street and Fownes Street) with an emphasis on vintage and unique original independent designer pieces. If you can't make it to any of the markets at the weekend, the best can be found here during the week.

Also, in Dublin 8, Cows Lane Fashion and Design Market, which is the largest designer market in Dublin, offers handmade one-off original designs. The market is open every Saturday from 10.00AM-5.30PM. Found outdoors on Cows Lane and indoors in the old Dublin's Viking Adventure‎, this market is not to be missed.

Outside Dublin

For those for whom it just would not be a holiday without hanging out at the mall, there are various shopping centres located around Dublin, including Blanchardstown Centre (Dublin 15) [86] (39 and 70 bus routes), Liffey Valley (Dublin 22) [87] (bus routes 25, 25A, 66, 66A, 67A,78, 78A, 210 and 239), and The Square, Tallaght, (Dublin 24, last stop on the red Luas). Dundrum Town Centre [88] is located in South Dublin and served by the green Luas tramline from St. Stephen's Green. In Dublin 14, it was awarded the title of best shopping mall in the World, 2006.
Harvey Nichols, an upmarket British department store chain housing designer names in fashion, accessories, beauty and food and is located in Dundrum Town Centre.

Another great option is to head to the subarbian seaside town of Dun Laoghaire where the Pavillion is also available with many shops including Meadows and Byrne[89], cinema and theatre.

Dublin is not cheap for general shopping, although visitors from outside the European Union can obtain a refund of VAT (sales tax: 23%) on many of their purchases. Just look for the refund sign and ask in the shop for details. Keep in mind that most stores will issue VAT refund vouchers only on the same day of purchase. More on VAT refund can be found on Irish eGovernment website [90].

Also, if you want to find thrifty nick nak shops, then Talbot street is a good start. Like any city, if you look hard enough and don't get caught up in the glitz and glam when shopping, there are great bargains to be found.

There is fairly extensive duty-free shopping at Dublin Airport, at prices sometimes cheaper than the rest of the city.

Eat

Dublin has a wide range of good quality restaurants. Many are overpriced by European standards, however, tougher economic times have given rise to a new wave of stylish but casual, low priced eateries with great food. Main course prices range from €8 at the lower end up to around €40 at the higher end. Wine in restaurants is generally marked up from its already expensive retail price by a factor of at least two and three times retail price would not be uncommon. Look out for "Bring Your Own Bottle" options.

There are many excellent value Indian restaurants around the South William Street area, parallel to Grafton Street. These often have reasonable priced lunch and 'early bird' deals, offering three course meals for around €10. Particularly to be recommended are the Khyber Tandoori on South William Street and Shalimar on South Great Georges Street. Also excellent is Surma on Camden St and "Govindas" on Augnier Street for very cheap Hare-Krishna vegetarian food. all are in Dublin 2.

A similar multi-cultural hotspot is Parnell Street in Dublin 1 (O'Connell Street-Gardiner Street), which has a dense concentration of Chinese and Asian restaurants extensively frequented by the ex-pat communities.

Don't forget to try Leo Burdock Fish and Chips (2 Werburgh St, beside the Lord Edward). Small indoor eating area. About 10 Euro for way too much food (share it with someone). Visited by many famous people whose names are listed on the wall.

Snack

Bewleys, Grafton Street, Dublin 2, [91]. Dublin's most famous coffee shop. This has been a hang-out over the years for U2, Bob Geldof, and James Joyce.

Bar Italia, several branches. Best coffee in town. Real Italian coffee with mostly Italian staff. Excellent panini and antipasto. Good value place with great atmosphere.

Butlers Chocolate Cafés, South William Street (Dublin 2) two branches) and Dublin Airport; takeaways on Grafton Street and Nassau Street (both Dublin 2), [92]. Coffeehouse and chocolatier, Good coffee with a choice of a free piece of chocolate (except at Dublin Airport, where you still get a chocolate but without a choice.) The airport branch is well stocked and generally runs special offers on boxes of chocolates not available in the city branches.

Centra, SPAR / Eurospar, MACE and Londis, are the largest convenience store chains. Numerous & located throughout Dublin and Ireland these offer consistent basics; drinks, breakfast, lunch, snacks and toiletries, that you may have forgotten to pack.

Lunch

Idlewilde Cafe, 20 St. Patrick's Rd, Dalkey, County Dublin. A charming café in this pretty heritage town on Dublin's southside coastline. Easily reached by train (Dart) or bus. The Cafe is set in a leafy courtyard and offers great breakfast and lunch as well as excellent coffee and smoothies. Great place to spot the local celeb's.

Madina, 60 Mary Street, Dublin 1, County Dublin. Incredibly tasty Indian & Pakistani food. The sauces are excellent and the dishes full of flavor. If you're not into spicy dishes try the "Chicken Tikka Massala" or "Chicken Korma". They also prepare delicious Mango Lassi.

Elephant and Castle, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Good chicken wings, extremely busy lunchtime on Saturdays (you could be waiting for up to 2 h)

Lemon Crèpe Company, South William Street, Dublin 2. Good value filled crèpes for around €4 (American style rather than French) and some of the best coffee in Dublin. There is a larger branch with canteen-style bench seating on Dawson Street, close to Trinity College.

Dunne & Crescenzi, South Frederick Street, Dublin 2. Delightful Italian lunch spot, open until around 8PM, but arrive early if you want to get a seat - or be prepared for a long wait. Antipasto Misto €6.50, Paninis from €4. Glass of house wine €3.50.

M J O'Neills, Suffolk Street, D-2. Great Pub Food. Carvery served 12 till 4 most days and till late weekends. Also has a good salad and sandwich bar. Price around €10 for carvery.

T.P. Smiths, Jervis Street, Dublin 1. very good pub food, also handy to stop in if you're shopping around the Henry Street area. Food served until 9PM.

Govinda's, 4 Aungier Street at Middle Abbey Street, just off O'Connell Street, Dublin 2, +353 1 475 0309. Krishna run vegetarian restaurant. The Govindas special (only order large if you're very hungry) is a taste of nearly everything from the hot counter.

Café Fresh, Top floor, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin 2, +353 1 6719669, [95]. One of the best known vegetarian cafes in the city and offers a great range at reasonable prices. As the name suggests the food is all "fresh" and is made on the premises that morning, and much of it is organic. If you're after a healthy meat-free meal, it's well worth a look.

Epicurean Food Hall, located just yards from the famous Ha'Penny Bridge on Lower Liffety Street, Dublin 2, The Epicurean Food Hall is a Mecca for the varied palate. Under one roof are food companies and stalls from Middle Eastern fare to Cornish Pasties and from Bagels to Christophes French cuisine. You can pick and choose your food of choice and sit in the communal seating area with Dublin locals that populate this lunch time must. Recommended in particular is the Italian coffee bar La Corta which probably serves the best cup of coffee in Dublin with all the Italian touches.

Purple Sage Restaurant, located in the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Stillorgan Road, Dublin 18. [96] The Purple Sage Restaurant serves a traditional carvery lunch from 12.30PM-2.30PM. Popular with residents and locals alike the Purple Sage Restaurant offers a memorable Irish experience. It has the best value in the city with great weekday lunch deals

Pablo Picante, 131 Baggot Street (at the corner of Pembroke), ([email protected]), [34]. M-F 11:30-8, Sa 12-8. A small and friendly eatery serving tasty meat and vegetarian burritos, which are great to takeaway to eat at nearby St. Stephen's Green.

In Cahoots Café is small and welcoming place to eat and drink delicious coffee concoctions. In Cahoots Café specializes in wraps, paninis, salads, sandwiches, and gourmet coffee.

Bad Ass Café is a chain that was started in the United States that now has a location in Ireland. The café is located in the heart of Temple Bar and is perfect for the American tourist who is missing a big hamburger. Bad Ass Café still serves traditional Irish beer, like Guinness, to keep the taste of Ireland.

Dinner

Brasserie Sixty6 Restaurant, 66-67 South Great Georges St, Dublin 2. Large & stylish modern European restaurant right in the heart of Dublin's shopping and entertainment district. Open 7 days and nights a week offering lunch, brunch and dinner. 180 seats, cocktails.

Le Bon Crubeen, 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1. [97] One of the few very decent restaurants on the north side of Liffey. Widely aknowledged for offering a consistently good value menu. Live Jazz from 9pm every Saturday. Lunch and Dinner every day.

The Blackboard Bistro, 4 Clare Street, Dublin 2. [98] Intimate and pretty French bistro close to the Millennium Wing of the National Gallery. Lunch Tuesday to Friday and Dinner Tuesday to Saturday.

Bella Cuba, 11 Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 2. Ireland's only Cuban restaurant, where the lack of competition hasn't affected the quality. Excellent food served in a fabulous Cuban atmosphere with great music. Don't forget to try the extensive cocktail list. This restaurant is very small so book in advance.

Ryans FXB, Parkgate St., Dublin 7. Great steaks and seafood in a very friendly and comfortable restaurant upstairs in the beautiful Victorian era pub. 5 minute walk from the Guinness Storehouse and a stop away from Kilmainham Gaol on the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus. Main courses can go for between €15-25 for great quality produce from the legendary Buckleys butchers.

Siam Thai, CSB 2.1, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum. This restaurant is part of a group of three, the other two being in Malahide and Monkstown. Gorgeous Thai cuisine served by staff in traditional Thai costume. The surroundings are nice, if maybe a little on the tacky side. Nonetheless a great Thai gastro experience.

Bang Restaurant & Bar, 11 Merrion Row, Dublin 2. A great cosmopolitan menu in a well established setting. Although a little on the expensive side, the food and presentation is excellent.

Kites, 15-17 Ballsbridge Terrace Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Great combination of Cantonese (predominant dish), Szechuan, Peking and Thai with an extensive wine list. Excellent choice for the more discerning diner with great attention paid by the friendly, professional waiters in very rich surroundings and decor. Well worth a visit.

Salamanca, St. Andrews St, Dublin 2. Good value, tasty and substantial tapas (sized more like raciones), priced around €4-8. The steak is a particular bargain at €7.50. Also good are the chorizo dishes.

Johnnie Fox's Pub, Glencullen Road, Glencullen, Dublin Mountains. Dating from the 18th century, the highest pub in Ireland is also one of the best for seafood. Great atmosphere with traditional live Irish bands and friendly staff. Food is excellent, so is the craic. Main courses €15-20. It’s a bit far (15 km) from the city, but you can get a good view of the city by night on your drive up to the restaurant. Unfortunately, this place is a notorious tourist trap - however it has received something or a revival in recent years with dozens of Irish people travelling to the pub for casual drinks / something to do.

L'Gueuleton, Fade St, Dublin 2 (behind Hogan's Bar). At the time of this writing (Sept 2006) there is no name above the door of this restaurant which has rapidly achieved cult status. It is consistently rated by food critics as one of the top five restaurants in Dublin, but it has a no reservations policy and their low prices makes it hugely popular for lunch and dinner. Three course lunch with wine yesterday was €40 per head. Don't worry about the no-reservations policy - put your name on the list and have a pint in the Market Bar or Hogan's.

Fade Street Social By Dylan McGrath, 4 Fade Street, Dublin 2. Fade Street Social is an ambitious new project incorporating two restaurants under one roof; The Gastro Bar and The Restaurant, along with a relaxed Wintergarden. Fade Street Social celebrates Irish food and character. Its approach is another departure from the formality of fine dining, while trying to capture the unique sense of humour of the Irish.

The Italian Kitchen, Dublin Airport. The Italian Kitchen is located at the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport in North Country Dublin (close to Portmarnock, Santry, Malahide and Swords) and it is one of Dublin's finest and much-loved Italian Restaurants

Drink

Temple Bar

Colourful pubs in Temple Bar

No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one (or ten) of its many pubs (last count says there are over 600 pubs). Drink is moderately priced by comparison with some European capitals: a pint of stout costs from €4.00 and up, while lager costs around €4.50 and up. Since the government gave a tax break to micro-brewed beer , this had a slight effect on prices in brew pubs. Pubs serve drinks until 24.00 with some drinking-up time allowed. Many bars have late licenses allowing them to serve up to 03:30, although this usually means a cover charge or price increases after 24.00.

Smoking has been illegal in Irish pubs (as well as all indoor workplaces) since March 2004; this has had the positive side effect of increasing al fresco facilities. Beer tends to be more expensive around the Temple Bar area, due to the increased tourist flow, and will be cheaper in more traditional styled pubs.

There are pubs in Dublin offering cheaper drinks, if you are willing to go off the beaten trail or ask other patrons for suggestions. Fibber McGees just off Parnell square, in the City, has €3 per drink for any drink including shorts, every Thursday night. (There is a €5 door fee to enter after 21:00 Thursday) please be aware Fibber McGees is a heavy metal bar, so if loud music is not your thing then best avoid. Craft beer bars also tend to have certain pints available for around €4.

The Temple Bar that people often speak of is an area that used to be a sand bar, not an actual bar. (Originally, anyway; there is a pub called "The Temple Bar" in Temple Bar.) The Temple Bar district has a mixture of food, drink, shopping and music. It appeals to all ages, but is a hot spot for tourists. The narrow, cobble stoned streets gives it an original feeling within the heart of the city. Its central location also makes it easy to walk to from Dublin's Centre. However, late night revellers tend to make it an unpleasant place to be after dark. It can be taken over by drunken stag and boisterous hen parties, many who travel cheaply from the United Kingdom to avail of Temple Bar's delights. Tourists should beware that prices in the Temple Bar area can go as high as €7.50 for a pint.

Traditional Irish Bars

The Celt, 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1. [103] Traditional Irish pub with live music every night from 9pm. Very popular with locals and tourists. Serves hot food all day long.

An Conradh - Conradh na Gaeilge, 6, Harcourt St.. An Irish language Pub on Harcourt St, where you can hear Irish spoken as a first language and also enjoy a beverage with friends in a Georgian building.

Peadar Kearney's 64 Dame St, Dublin 2. Named after the man who penned Amhráin na bhFiann, Ireland's National Anthem, A great spot for pre- and post- gig drinks next to the Olympia Theatre, Peadar's attracts a young & lively crowd, with Live music from up and coming Irish trad bands. Mostly tourists here but a nice spot to talk to other visitors.

The Cobblestone, North King Street, Dublin 7. Easily Dublin's most famous Trad pub, situated in the North end of the famous Smithfield square this pub has had just about every single traditional Irish band play it. Trad sessions are nightly, expect a good mixed crowd.

Frank Ryans, Queen Street, Dublin 7. A favourite with students from Blackhall Place, this quaint pub keeps a traditional feel with a bit of a twist. Friendly bar staff and a highly mixed crowd of local students, law types, trendies and locals makes this a lively, fun spot for a few drinks. Expect weekly trad nights interspersed with Rockabilly, Country and Soul on the jukebox.

O'Donoghue's, Merrion Row, Dublin 2. Famous for impromptu live music. Where folk Group The Dubliners were formed.

The Barge, 42 Charlemont Street, Dublin 2. Near St. Steven's Green. Excellent pub food, great decor; a friendly traditional pub with very good food. Try the fish and chips, except get the wedges instead of the chips. Golden brown on the outside, crunchy, tender inside.

Hartigan's, 100 Lower Leeson Street Dublin. Popular student bar, as a result occasionally raucous. Good option after international rugby matches.

The Brazen Head, Bridge Street, Dublin 2. One of the oldest pubs in Ireland. Built in 1754. Wonderful on warm, dry summer nights during the rare occasions when they happen. Live traditional music and very friendly atmosphere. One of the bars is covered in signed currency notes, usually dollars, from people who wanted to leave their mark on the place. There is a large, heated open-air section enclosed within the centre of the building which is perfect for smokers. One of very few places in Dublin which serves the lesser known but very tasty Macardles brand of ale.

Fallon's, The Coombe, Dublin 8 (near St. Patrick's Cathedral). small friendly local pub.

The Oval, Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Good for drink and food, said to have the best Irish stew in Dublin. Attracts a mixed age group. Lots of pictures of old Irish celebrities with a tribute to the Quiet Man.

Ryan's, Parkgate St, Dublin 8 (near Heuston Station). Beautiful Victorian pub. A good place to have a pint before getting a train out of Dublin.

The Palace Bar, Fleet St, Dublin 2. Located at the edge of Temple Bar, this traditional bar has interesting decor complete with "snug" (small private booth). Live music upstairs Wednesday and Saturday.

The Long Hall, 31 south Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. Atmospheric bar with interesting wooden decor, nice window to sit at to people watch.

Kehoe's, South Anne Street. Located just off Grafton St, this is an excellent spot for a pint after a hectic days shopping. Several snugs downstairs.

Kennedy's, 30/32 Westland Row, Dublin 2, [106]. Located to the rear of Trinity college, this traditional style pub serves good quality food and drink with plenty of friendly atmosphere. Also home to The Underground[107] one of Dublin’s newest and most intimate venues.

The Stag's Head, Dame Lane (off Great Georges Street).Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Quay Dublin 2 (10 minutes on foot from O’Connell St. Bus numbers 3, 50, 77/77A, 151 stop close to the main entrance. By Dart at Grand Canal station and by Luas at Spencer Dock), ☎+353 1 677-7510, [36]. 10AM-6PM. NOTE: check before you visit, as this has been closed for some years.€4, children €2, students/seniors €3.

The Dawson Lounge, top of Dawson Street. Dublin's (or Ireland's) smallest pub. Twenty people and it is packed.

McDaids, just off Grafton Street right next to Westbury Hotel. Was a regular place for Oscar Wilde to ponder life.

Grogans (Castle Lounge), South William Street, Dublin 2. Wonderful traditional pub, no music or TV. Great Guinness and a mixture of tourists and locals, with interesting art on the walls.

McCloskeys, Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (Main thoroughfare of adorable suburb of Donnybrook, 15 minutes from city centre.). A country pub in the city, this quaint yet surprisingly large establishment has something for everyone. Plenty of big screens for sports, quiet corners for reading, and locals with whom to chat the day away. On hot days the terrace in McCloskeys is the only place to be. Great for match days. Very close to Lansdowne Road (Aviva Stadium), Donnybrook stadium and the RDS.Pint of Guinness:€4•65, toasted sandwich: €5.

Modern

The Bailey, Duke Street, Dublin 2. Located just off Grafton Street, this swish bar tends to attract the sophisticated side of Dublin's society, popular amongst celebrities as well. Very busy during the summer afternoons and evenings with a nice outdoor seating area.

The Dice Bar, Benburb Street/Queen Street, Dublin 7. Mixes old school charm with cool sensibilities. If you're thinking of heading in on the weekend, get there early because this place is absolutely crammed. 20 minutes walk from the GPO this bar has an eclectic mix of people and music, expect anything from ska, to reggae, to rockabilly. Sundays are especially cool with a biker/greaser crowd enjoying the 50's music on offer.

Lotts, 60-62 The Lotts, 9 Liffey Street, Dublin 1. A small pub with a interior decorated with chandeliers, a marble bar and comfortable leather seating. Live music many nights. Small outside seating area as well. Large food menu available daily.

The Market Bar, Fade Street, Dublin 2, [108]. Opened in 2005, large spacious bar, with murmur of conversation in the background, nice tapas restaurant with a good value menu.

The Odeon, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. Ornate bar at the top of Harcourt Street housed in a converted railway station; the new tram system has a stop directly outside.

Pygmalion, South William Street, Dublin 2. Directly opposite Grogan's, in the Powerscourt Townhouse shopping centre; a modern contrast.

Café en Seine, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Typical, and not entirely unpleasant, example of a Dublin 'megapub'; recently extended to include tropical trees at the back-- Very expensive.

The Globe, 11 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. One of the original trendy bars to hit Dublin in the mid 90's. Having one of Dublins longest running clubs Ri-Ra in the basement.

Lost Society, South William Street, Dublin 2. located next to the Powerscourt shopping centre, modern "trendy" venue.

Micro-breweries/ Brew-pubs

Inside J. W. Sweetman's

Against the Grain, Wexford Street, Dublin 2. Owned by a Galway-based brewery, offers a wide variety of Irish micro-brews and world beers. Does not serve generic commercial beers on tap. A vibrant pub with an eclectic clientele. No tv (a blessing or a curse depending on your point of view), soft music, boardgames, great beer, great food.

The Bull and Castle, 5-7 Lord Edward Street (next to Christchurch), Dublin 2. Very interesting gastro pub which offers a beer hall a large selection of microbrewed and international beers. The range of beers available is not quite as extensive as The Porterhouse but it does give the option of 0.3, 0.5 and 1-litre beers. Make sure to try a Galway Hooker (a pale ale) and the Edinburgh-style deep fried Mars bar.

J. W. Sweetman, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, [109]. Spread over two stories on two buildings very near to O'Connell Bridge, they produce a very good stout quite different to Guinness, fresher and more complex, plus their own ale and lager. Also has good cafeteria-style lunch sets for around €10.

The Porterhouse, Parliament Street, Dublin 2. As well as good indigenous brews including a non-vegetarian oyster stout, there is an extensive Belgian and international beer list. Porterhouse Plain Porter has twice won "best stout in the world" and is worth trying. Also does good reasonably priced food. Has sister pubs in Bray and Phibsboro and on Grafton Street.

Bars

The Foggy Dew, Temple Bar next to the Central Bank. Very popular bar with all kinds of people. Has good selection of craft beer.

Bruxelles, off Grafton St next to Westbury Hotel. Very lively and popular. Spread over 3 bars the music and atmosphere is loud. A statue of Phil Lynott (from Irish rock band Thin Lizzy) is outside. If you like metal, rock and indie music go downstairs.

The Duke, Duke St (off Grafton St). Great after-work bar and Fridays are very busy.

The Bernard Shaw, Portobello (near Harcourt St). One of the best indie bars in Dublin, very popular with 18-25 Dubliners and always welcoming to visitors.

Clubs

The Button Factory, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. One of Dublin's top clubs, the Button Factory is 700+ capacity venue hosting regular international acts. Formally known as The Temple Bar Music Centre, in recent years the venue has been renovated to give it some of the best acoustics in the capital, facilitating its hosting of leftfield live acts as well as its regular club nights. This is one of Dublin's top clubs which caters mainly for students but delivers on big names regularly. Check [[110]] for listings.

The Academy, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. This venue has changed its tune from Hot Press Hall Of Fame to Spirit nightclub. Now renamed The Academy it now doubles as both a live venue and a dance club. Their dot matrix sign outside the venue usually advertises upcoming events.

Krystle, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. This club is a new haven for the nouveau riche and wannabe celebrities of Ireland. If you want to go C list celebrity spotting and doing some over the top posing, you'll be at home.

Copper Face Jacks, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. A popular place with country people as opposed to Dubliners, this venue is dark and seedy. Bear in mind because of its reputation there is often up to three boys there for every girl at weekends. It is owned by a retired Garda and is frequented by serving members of the force so an altercation in the men's room is not advised as you may be in more trouble than you think. Entry into the club start at about €5-10 per person depending on the day, also free before midnight weekdays and 11pm at the weekend.

The Palace, Camden Street, Dublin 2. Popular with 18-20 yr's club, recently renovated to the tune of €1m. The place is full to the brim every Friday and Saturday, attracting students, professionals and everyone else in between. €10cover charge.

Outside The City Centre

Wrights Venue, Swords is a nightclub in North County Dublin if you are staying North of the canals a taxi ride will typically cost around €20 for up to 4 people (a bus sometimes also runs). It is best to find out if there is anything on before traveling as it is some distance from the city (about 10km), but by far, Wrights is the preferred venue of many Dublin clubbers, and has the largest capacity of any nightclub in Ireland.

Club 92, Leopardstown is the leading out of city Nightclub on the southside of Dublin. Been in business for over 15 years, Club 92 is where many of the young trendies of South Dublin can be found socialising, although dress-code is strict and it is advised to call ahead to ensure entry is guaranteed. The easiest access is by taxi, but taking a Green Line Luas to Sandyford and walking for ten minutes can save a few Euro - return journeys are typically only by taxi and work out at around €25 to the city centre for up to 4 people.

Sleep

If you go there for a weekend trip, please note that hotels in Dublin book fast for the weekend, especially during Spring; booking 2-3 months in advance is highly recommended.

Camping

Dublin is not well-served for visitors who wish to camp in designated sites. The nearest to the city centre is located to the southwest of the city.

Campervan Hire is available from Bunk Campers[112], located close to Dublin Airport for those who wish enjoy a camping style holiday and travel further afield.

Budget

There are a huge number of backpackers and youth hostels (mostly around €20 per night in dorm accommodation), bed & breakfasts (around €45 per person), and hotels (€50+ per room). Cheaper accommodation is to be found around Dublin's main bus station, Busaras. While areas south of the river contain more expensive options.

Abraham House Hostel, 82-83 Lower Gardiner St, Dublin 1, +353 1 855 0598, [email protected] A good budget hostel, sister to Ashfield House. It has questionable 'hot' water, and each room has one key that you share with the other occupants (whether you know them or not).

Anchor House Dublin, 49 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, +353 1 878 6913, email: [117], [118]. The Anchor House Dublin is regarded as one of Dublin’s most charming City Centre guesthouses.This is a city center family run bed and breakfast.

Ashling House B&B, 168 Drumcondra Rd Upper, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, +353 1 837 0300, e-mail: [121], [122]. Ashling House was built in the 1930s in the leafy suburb of Drumcondra and is within a short distance of the city center.

Azalea Lodge, 67 Drumcondra Road Upper, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, +353 1 837 0300, e-mail: [125], [126]. Azalea Lodge B&B is a red brick period house, built in 1917 in the leafy suburb of Drumcondra and is within a short distance of the city center.

Backpackers Citi Hostel, 61/62 Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, +353 1 855 0035, e-mail: [127], [128]. On the main accommodation street in the very centre of Dublin city. The hostel is based in a listed Georgian building with many of its old features intact.

DCU Summer Rooms, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, ☎+353 1 700 5736, [38]. checkin: 15.00; checkout: 11.00. Dublin City University's accommodation is open to the public from June - September. There are three different types of accommodation. All have en suite rooms. Hot buffet breakfast is also available. Swimming pool and gym (additional fee) on campus. €36 - €89.

Jacobs Inn Hostel, 21-28 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, +353 1 855 5660, email: [135], [136]. Nice, clean budget hostel with keycard security. A sister to Isaac Hostel. Near the bus station so easy when coming from the airport. Good competitive prices (as of Sept. 2008). Onsuite shower and bathroom as well as an additional washroom at the end of each hall.

O'Sheas Hotel[142], Talbot Street, Dublin 1. Family run hotel famous for it musical history. U2 and Thin Lizzy are just two of the many bands to have started at O'Sheas Hotel. Only a few minute walk to O'Connell Street and Temple Bar.

The Times Hostel[143], 8 College Street, Dublin 2. New backpackers hostel in Dublin. Only a one-minute walk to Temple Bar.

Trinity College (May to mid-September only), Various locations on the Trinity College campus, ☎+353 (01) 896 1177 (ext. 1497), [44]. Summer accommodation at Trinity College is available in single, double or apartment-style accommodation (some with ensuite). The continental breakfast is very generous. Campus security may be frustrating for guests who stay out late as there are limited access points into Trinity College after midnight, which can result in a long walk from the main gate to some of the residences.From €60.

Fitzwilliam Townhouse Dublin, 41 Upper Fitzwilliam St, Dublin 2 (5 minutes walk from St. Stephen's Green), ☎+353 1 662 5155, [50]. Dating back to 1700s, this Georgian House retains many of the original features of Georgian living in Dublin. All room are en-suite and offer free Wi-Fi.€55-€135.

Jurys Inn has three locations; Jurys Inn Christchurch Hotel, Jurys Inn Custom House Hotel, and Jurys Inn Parnell Street Hotel. The Christchurch location is across the street from the one thousand year old Christ Church Cathedral and Temple Bar. The Custom House location is in the middle of the International Financial Services Centre. Guests also have a view of the Liffey River that runs through the city. The Parnell Street location is in the centre.

Sandymount Hotel (formerly Mount Herbert Hotel), Herbert Road, Dublin 4, ☎+353 1 614 2000, [57]. a three-star hotel located in the Sandymount and Ballsbridge area next to AVIVA Stadium. Nice classic building and good size rooms equipped with large bathrooms makes it good value. The bar is great and there is a nice patio area overlooking the hotel's garden. Free Wi-Fi, conference facilities, and the staff is friendly and approachable.Rooms from €59.

The Clarence Hotel Representative of modern Ireland located on Wellington Quay right off the River Liffey. The hotel is owned by Bono and The Edge, members of the Irish music group U2. If the band has a concert in Dublin or the surrounding area you may catch a glimpse of them leaving The Clarence to go to sound check!

Hilton Dublin, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2, ☎+353 1 402 9988, [60]. in the St. Stephen's Green area. Pleasant, modern hotel. Quiet rooms. Excellent housekeeping, very clean. Very accommodating to requests (such as bringing a small refrigerator at no extra cost). Luas Charlemont light rail station right across the street. Laundry, with self-serve and wash and fold around the corner. Breakfast may be provided with the room. It's not great. Don't eat there if you have to pay money. There are many other options nearby.

The Morrison, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1, +353 1 8872400, [156]. Located on the Liffey across the river from The Clarence and near the Ha'penny Bridge.

Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport, Dublin Airport, +353 1 1 844 6000, [157]. This four-star accommodation was formally The Great Southern Hotel Dublin Airport and is located within the airport complex just minutes from the passenger terminal.

Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel, Stillorgan Rd, Blackrock, +353 1 218 6000, [159]. This five-star hotel is a little more than five kilometres south of city centre, 16 kilometres from the airport via the Port Tunnel.

Stay safe

Dublin is generally a very safe city. However as in most other large cities, a few crimes against the person, such as muggings, unprovoked attacks, and robberies, have been known to occur in Dublin. Treat Dublin as you would other European capital city, and be sensible: never walk in poorly-lit areas at night, especially alone; as Dublin centre is relatively compact, be aware that walking a few blocks can take you into some bad areas. Be especially vigilant or preferably avoid all-together walking around the city centre after bar closing times on weekends (2:30AM-3:00AM) when very drunk people roam the streets and when violent behavior and crime are most likely to occur. The O'Connell street area and surrounds can be dangerous at night and during the day attracts a lot of drug addicts due to the high number of methadone clinics.

You will see a wide variety of buskers and street performers, usually on Grafton Street or Henry/Mary Street. These are normal people just plying their trade; they are usually very helpful for directions and appreciate your donations.

If people approach you on the street, they could indeed be people just looking for directions, charity workers looking for donations, or people simply looking for a cigarette lighter. Be aware that Dublin people are usually very friendly and open and unlike big cities like London or New York, talking to complete strangers is a common and regular occurrence.

If someone who appears to be drunk or under the influence of drugs approaches you asking if they can talk to you for a moment, it is wise to keep walking (although expect drunk people to talk to you in a pub as it is common). These people may simply ask you for a cigarette or some money for a bus, but be aware that most Dubliners, even if they have no money, would never ask a stranger for money or cigarettes (although asking for a light for a cigarette is common). There are several scams being used on unaware tourists and locals alike so please be careful and use your judgement. If someone comes to you on the street, touches you, and asks you for something, say "no" and walk away. Again, locals will almost never behave like this so avoid people who do.

When driving, leave nothing valuable visible in your car, lock doors while driving through slow traffic in the city. There are plenty of taxis at all hours of the day and night, which are almost always safe and usually friendly.

Dublin (and Ireland as a whole generally) is suffering from a severe housing shortage at present and as a result homeless people are a very common sight in the city. Most homeless people in the city will keep to themselves but some rough sleepers will ask for money. As a general rule it is best not to accept advances from beggars.

Never be afraid to approach Gardai (police officers) to ask for help or directions, It is their job to help. If you do get into trouble somehow and fear for your safety (which is very rare) and cannot find a Gardai officer, head to the nearest establishment such as a bar or shop where you will be safe. Call the emergency services on either 999 or 112, free from any phone, and ask for the relevant service. If you have no phone, ask anyone working in a shop or bar to call the police for you, and the employee will gladly assist. Also, most doormen and bouncers in pubs will gladly call the police for you if you explain your situation.

Dublin has heavy traffic, and even though Dubliners often tend to cross the road without having a green man, it is not recommended to follow their example. Jaywalking is rather common among locals but it is not recommended as many accidents occur as a result. Remember, in Dublin, cars drive on the left, so look both ways before crossing the street!

If you cycle in the city, ensure that you use full safety wear (helmet and lights). Failure to do so can (albeit it rarely) result in fines although most of the time Gardaí (police) will turn a blind eye to it. Nearly all main roads in the city have cycle paths and were there aren't any, it is safe just to cycle at the edge of the road. Cycling in bus lanes is also fine. Cyclists do have to obey traffic lights and respect the rules of the road although enforcement is lax and usually only takes place in the centre of the city, where roads are very busy.

Care should also be used when taking some of the "Nitelink" buses that frequent the city as they, while often safe, have seen their fair share of trouble. Sit downstairs if possible, if only to avoid the more raucous singing and shouting. At night, buses and trains often have many drunk people traveling on them who are usually going home from the pub or from a nightclub. It is sensible to keep away from any rowdy behaviour.

Taxis are well regulated in Ireland but, like everywhere else, it is not unknown for taxi drivers to take longer routes when non-Dubliners are being carried - ask for the quickest route. If staying in a hotel or hostel your host may be able to help you find a reputable mini-cab.

The area around Temple Bar is both an attraction for tourists and for pickpockets. Be aware of your surroundings. It is fairly common for thieves to target tourists as well as locals. If you happen to be the victim of a crime, go to the nearest Garda (police) station for help. In most cases officers are very friendly and will do the best they can to help.

Internet cafés

Wi-Fi access

Dublin City Public Libraries, Central Library, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1. provides free Broadband and Wireless access to the Internet in its network of branch libraries.

Get out

Dublin Area

Howth cliff walk

Howth - To the north, 14 km (9 mi) from the city centre (still marked by 18th-century milestones), the peninsula of Howth is very nice for a walk. Just take the bus or DART (€4.20 return from Connolly Station) out to Howth and walk around the cliffs! The whole tour takes about 2-3 hours. It is most beautiful in Aug/Sept when the weather bathes the cliffs in red. There is also a boat that departs from Howth harbour that goes out to the island off the coast called Ireland's Eye which costs €10 roundtrip (you pay when you board). You can visit it and the monolithic ruins on it, and if you're lucky you might be able to get the island to yourself. The King Sitric fish restaurant at the harbor serves freshly caught fish at eye watering prices, several other local restaurants are better and cheaper-notably Ivans.

Bull Island and St. Anne's Park. Two large recreation areas. Bull Island has a 5 km (3 mi) beach and is an important habitat for birds. St Anne's Park,a former Guinness family home estate, has ponds, follies, walks and a world-famous Rose Garden, as well as a coffee shop and artists' studios. The ideal way to visit them is by bicycle. Go via Amien's St, North Strand, Fairview and then follow the coastline. There'a an excellent bike path almost all the way.

Further Afield (Areas/Counties Outside of Dublin)

Meath. The Bru na Boinne megalithic tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth are the most important archaeological sites in Ireland and are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The site is located 50 km (30 mi) north of Dublin on the banks of the Boyne.

Wicklow, within easy reach to the south of Dublin, is known as 'the garden of Ireland' and has good hill-walking and some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

Westmeath is less than an hour west of Dublin and boasts many beautiful lakes and landscapes.

Kildare is directly west Of Dublin and some of Dublin's outer suburbs are here eg Naas and Maynooth. The Curragh racecourse is in County Kildare, south west of Dublin, about 50 km (30 mi) from the city. The K Club in Kildare was the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup in golf.

Carlow boasts some fine architecture - with its courthouse from the mid 1800s and its Cathedral which was completed in 1833.

Laois is located 1 h southwest of Dublin - Portlaoise has a cobbled main street with independent eateries, Georgian architecture and small pubs. The county is dotted with sleepy villages, slow-moving rivers and rolling hills.

Kilkenny, Ireland's medieval capital, is a bustling heritage town with a thriving arts scene. 1 h 40 min by train from Dublin.

Wexford: Irish, Viking, and Norman heritage can be found in Enniscorthy, Wexford, and surrounding smaller towns. Enniscorthy is two hours from Dublin by train; Wexford town is another 15-20 minutes on the same line.

By sightseeing tour from Dublin

Several Dublin based tour operators such as Kennedy & Carr Travel [161] offer daily tours from Dublin city to the most scenic, historic and popular attractions in Ireland. Depending on the time of year, visitors have the choice of varied destinations such as Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains and Kilkenny, Belfast & the Giant's Causeway, Galway & Connemara, Cliffs of Moher & Burren region, Blarney Castle & Cork amongst others. Typically tours depart around 08:00-09:00 in the morning and return at approximately 18:00-20:00. Tickets generally cost between €25-69. For many travellers such tours can provide the independence they want with the structure and local insight that makes for a relaxing tour. Such operators also offer private hire services for families and groups upon request.

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